More than a book review: Tolstoy's War and Peace
This novel by Tolstoy contributed in his nomination for the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1902, 1903, 1904, 1905 and 1906
The modern literature is incomplete without mentioning Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace. The book is a journey, from Russia's matters to France and again Russia. The descriptive and detailed nature of the characters, events and the life of the book sums up the 5 years of research and writing of Leo Tolstoy.
War and Peace is considered as a pinnacle in realism fiction. The novel annals the French invasion of Russia popularly known as the Patriotic War of 1812 led by Napoleon. It reflects the impact and influences the invasion creates on the minds of the five Russian aristocratic families.
Though the novel is set 50-60 years before Tolstoy's day, the immense research, scanning of history and detailed articulation portray reality in its form.
War and Peace is spread in four books or parts.
Book One
The first part of the novel describes the routine of Russia and Russians and an introduction in the life of the five main families - the Bezukhovs, the Bolkonskys, the Rostovs, the Kuragins, and the Drubetskoys. The sensitizing nature of literature in first part paves the way for the second part - a more detailed description of the life and war.
Book Two
Book Two entails the initial days of the invasion and its impact on the routine of the citizens of Moscow and St Petersburg. The families' diplomatic as well as personal issues take turns resulting in either the breakage or building of relations.
Book Three
This part portrays the epicentre of the war. The invasion by Napoleon and his army and the several battles fought (lost or won) are described with their influence on the lives of the people of Russia and primarily on that of the five families.
Book Four
A peaceful approach is followed in book four where Tolstoy describes how war changes lives. A comprehensive approach of Napoleon and his army's retreat to France and life after the war in Russia is thoroughly showcased.
Two Epilogues
The first epilogue begins with happy families who carry on and live with harsh memories of the war. Through the writings, you would see how the characters think of their life before the war but with the violence and loss of loved ones, a sense of maturity is developed and, is witnessed in their present approach.
The second epilogue is more of an opinion and critique values of Leo Tolstoy. He argues that the smaller events are the result of an inverse relationship between necessity and free-will, necessity being based on reason and therefore explicable through historical analysis, and free-will being based on "consciousness" and therefore inherently unpredictable.
In Conclusion
War and Peace is more than a novel. It is a journey, of a country, of families and of hearts and minds through war, politics and in the end, peace.
Leo Tolstoy's classic novel motivated, shooked and inspired many from the lessons of history.
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